State introduces each creek by name

New signs, 96 in the Lehigh Valley, will identify vital streams.

Nearly 100 streams and tributaries in Lehigh and Northampton counties will get identifying signs as part of a statewide program to raise awareness of watersheds.

Through the program by the seven-county Southeastern Pennsylvania Resource Conservation and Development Council, signs will be installed at bridge crossings of streams and small rivers in 20 Lehigh Valley communities, and officials say they hope the project will help residents "gain a greater appreciation of their natural resources."

"We want to make people more aware of their watersheds and that what they do has an impact on streams and then flows into the rivers," said Tom Conlon of Lower Saucon Township, one of two Northampton County directors for the council.

"By installing these signs, we hope it will help residents and visitors to learn the names of the streams in the Lehigh Valley," added Robert Jones of Moore Township, the other county director. Jones said the project was funded by a state environmental grant.

On Wednesday, Jones received 90 signs from the council headquarters and distributed them to Northampton County communities. Lehigh County also will receive six signs.

The project to identify 1,650 waterways across the state is "an important step in the conservation and protection of our water resources," said Frank Cetera, coordinator of the Pennsylvania Watershed and Rivers.

John Metric, director of the southeastern council, said the council received 500 applications for signs, far more than the 150 expected. He said 377 streams were chosen to get signs in Northampton, Lehigh, Bucks and Berks counties.

Jones said the council, which was formed five years ago, has worked on numerous environmental projects, such as trail development, encouraging solar energy, recycling wood and wastewater alternatives.